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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Movies and TV devider Denis Villeneuve tapped to direct next Bond movie

Denis Villeneuve tapped to direct next Bond movie

Published Jun 28, 2025 12:08 pm

At A Glance

  • Amazon MGM Studio announced that Denis Villeneuve will direct the 26th Bond movie
LONDON (AP) - In the 50-plus years of James Bond, the wait between films has never gone longer than six years. The next entry, and first since Daniel Craig’s dramatic exit, may test that — but things are speeding up.
On Wednesday, Amazon MGM Studio announced that Denis Villeneuve will direct the 26th Bond movie, putting the franchise in the hands of one of the most respected big-budget filmmakers.
Villeneuve, the 57-year-old French Canadian director, has established himself as a steward of cinematic IP (“Blade Runner 2049,” “Dune”) and a specialist in dark, doom-laden spectacle (“Sicaro,” “Arrival”).
“James Bond is in the hands of one of today’s greatest filmmakers,” said Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios.
The culmination for Villeneuve has been the “Dune” films. His first two entries have surpassed $1 billion in box office and gathered a combined 15 Academy Award nominations, winning seven.
“I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory,” said Villeneuve. “I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come. This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor.”
Amazon, which bought MGM Studios in 2022 for $8.5 billion, hasn’t set a release date yet or announced a screenwriter.
The most likely timing would be production starting in 2026 and the film being released sometime in 2027.
No new 007 has been named, but that hasn’t stopped rumors and conjecture from running rampant.
It’s pure speculation buts oddsmakers have a few expected contenders for the martini-sipping role. Those include Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, Aaron Pierre, Henry Cavill, James Norton and Jack Lowden. Expectations are that the new Bond will remain male and British, but producers have said nothing publicly to tip their hand.
Whoever it is will have big shoes to fill. In his five-film, 15-year stretch in the tuxedo, Daniel Craig was widely seen as one of the best Bonds, including the high point of “Skyfall” (2012) and the swan song of “No Time to Die” (2021).
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